Prince Harry has thrown his weight behind HIV Testing Week as he handed out self-testing kits at a pop-up clinic in London.

He said the UK had 'turned a corner' over public stigma around the illness and encouraged the knowledge that people with HIV could live 'healthy, happy lives'.

Harry met volunteers and employees from the Terrence Higgins Trust, which is behind the week-long placement of the testing centre in Homerton, east London, and heard how a simple finger-prick test can determine whether someone is HIV positive in less than 15 minutes.

As he watched the face of the 'Give the finger to HIV' campaign, Yvette Twagiramariya, explain the workings of the clinic, Harry said people could no longer be demonised for getting tested and are now only 'irresponsible' if they do not know their status.

He said: 'If you are positive, it's absolutely fine - you can have a healthy, happy life.

'Rather than not knowing your status and being on medication for a period of your life, or the rest of your life, rather than letting yourself get to that point where there is no return, I must stress to everyone how important it is (to get tested).

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Prince Harry, 33, joined Yvette Twagiramariya face of the 'Give the finger to HIV' campaign at a pop up clinic in Homerton, East London

Yvette Twagiramariy grimaces after a pin prick to draw a blood sample, as she demonstrates a HIV self-test kit to Prince Harry

Today, Harry sat with Andrew Bates, who was found to be HIV positive in 2015 and spoke to the Prince about the process of being diagnosed.

Harry heard that despite his initial fears about the impact of the disease, Mr Bates is under daily treatment that keeps his symptoms at bay and is now planning to run a marathon next year to raise awareness about the lives of those who are on HIV medication.

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Mr Bates said: "I want to say that people who are HIV positive can do things like run a marathon - just because I have this diagnosis, it doesn't define me."

He added: "I was told at the time I was diagnosed that in six months, I would laugh at my reaction - those initial feelings of shock and upset, and that is it. You will look back and see that it is fine."

Prince Harry gives an HIV self-test kit to a local resident during his visit to the opening of the Terrence Higgins Trust charity's HIV self-test pop-up shop in Hackney, east London

Yvette Twagiramariy demonstrated a self-testing kit as Harry looked on

The royal heard how a simple finger-prick test can determine whether someone is HIV positive in less than 15 minutes

Harry chatted to Andrew Bates, who was found to be HIV positive in 2015 and spoke to the Prince about the process of being diagnosed

Harry then took the opportunity to get stuck in with other Terrence Higgins Trust volunteers by handing out self-testing kits to residents in the local Hackney area.

The Prince asked one resident if he would be encouraging friends to visit the clinic and asked others to spread the word about the ease of coming to get tested.

The Prince, who has followed in his mother's footsteps as a prominent supporter of HIV/Aids charities and support networks, is meeting with the shop's volunteers in Hackney, and will watch a live demonstration of a self-testing kit provided by the Terrence Higgins Trust.

The royal is urging people to get tested, reassuring them that it's possible to live a normal and happy life with HIV

Harry posed with attendees at the Terrence Higgins Trust pop up shop in Hackney Walk

Today's event comes two months after the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana's death in August 1997, and 30 years since she was credited for challenging the stigma against those afflicted by the virus - when she shook the hand of a Aids patient without wearing gloves.

Harry also conducted his own high-profile HIV test alongside pop superstar Rihanna, when the pair teamed up for World Aids Day in December last year.

In October, the Prince called for people to 'embrace regular testing' for HIV and Aids and paid tribute to his late mother's legacy over awareness and prevention.

The royal shares a joke with Yvette Twagiramariya who explained the workings of the clinic to the prince

Harry is following in the footsteps of his mother Diana who 30 years ago was credited for challenging the stigma against those afflicted by the virus

Harry also conducted his own high-profile HIV test alongside pop superstar Rihanna, when the pair teamed up for World Aids Day in December last year

The prince watches a demonstration of a self-testing kit for HIV

The royal was in great spirits during today's visit as he laughed with the face of the 'Give the finger to HIV' campaign, Yvette Twagiramariya

He said: 'I often wonder about what she would be doing to continue the fight against HIV and Aids if she were still with us today.

'I believe that she would be telling everyone across society - not just those most at risk - that with effective treatment being free and available in the UK, that we must all embrace regular testing - both for our own sake and for those that we love.'

Harry's visit comes three days before the start of the UK National HIV Testing Week gets under way this weekend.

The awareness week is primarily aimed at promoting preventative testing among Britain's gay, bisexual and black African community who collectively make up seven out of 10 people in the UK living with HIV.

Harry has been outspoken on the fight against HIV and co-founded the charity Sentebale - meaning 'forget me not' - with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006.

It aims to improve prospects for the thousands of children and young people affected by HIV/Aids in the landlocked African country.

The Prince also took part in a roundtable discussion alongside three of the charity's youth advocates from Lesotho and Botswana, who spoke about the challenges face by those with HIV in southern Africa.

As of December last year, Sentebale had delivered adolescent-friendly HIV testing and counselling services to more than 21,000 people, and there are plans to expand into four or five sub-Saharan African countries by 2020.

Harry first visited Lesotho 12 years ago, shadowed by broadcaster Tom Bradby, who interviewed the Prince for the documentary.